Japanese Fire-Bellied Newts

Japanese Fire-Bellied Newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster, is an indigenous species of amphibian in Japan. They usually inhabit in slow-flowing or still waters, such as ponds, creeks, and rice paddies. Yet, their population is rapidly declining due to their habitat loss.
They feed on insects, worms, crustaceans, and other amphibians. In captivity, they even consume frozen (defrosted) or dried food.
They're, in my opinion, the easiest amphibian to keep and breed. As I mentioned above, they will readily take a variety of animal-based food. In fact, I've seen them sold at PetSmart in San Diego. But, PLEASE be warned that they release poison (tetrodotoxin) from their skin, which is the very same toxin that blow fish (puffer) contains. So, PLEASE wash your hands thoroughly after handling them.
And, don't tell me the tank needs to be cleaned, for it was shot at Sagamigawa Fureai Kagakukan in Kanagawa Prefecture, definitely not mine.

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[jxz107]

Very nice footage. I love their bodies! They have much rougher forms than the chinese... and they're larger!

Idk though, many in general are simple to house. For breeding, most aren't that sucessful at getting them to do so.

[crazyboyfromjapan]

I actually experienced the spawning of this species, it was the subject for my report during the summer vacation in the 6th grade. They might spawn easily, but raising the young is big challenge. It seems the young detect food by sight rather than smell, so you basically have to feed them live food.

I've never seen a single newt in the US, though I know some inhabit there.

Thanks for the info.

[pekinobo]

Is their poison in the same high level as the puffer fish? Lovely and rare amphibian nevertheless.

Peace

[crazyboyfromjapan]

@pekinobo

Is there newt species in your local area? I know there are some in Western Europe, but I'm not sure about Scandinavia.

Thanks for your comment.

[UrbanRats]

A beautiful species indeed :)

[crazyboyfromjapan]

@UrbanRats

They are indeed. Could you post some videos of newts in your local area if you can? I've heard there are some species of newts in Western Europe.

Thanks!

[MultiKeelin]

i live in ireland and i found 1 is dat normal?

[pekinobo]

@jxz107

All this is so new to me. I check it out and try to learn. Thank you.

[pekinobo]

@crazyboyfromjapan

Not to my knowledge there aren´t any. But if I find out I be sure to tell.

[jxz107]

@crazyboyfromjapan Yeah, feeding them must suck, Breeding horned frogs would be even worse! LOL I thought they had a nice sense of smell, they didn't seem like the type that utilize sight. But I used chinese fire belly specimens, so it might be different.

[jxz107]

@pekinobo Not really. You might want to take a look at the California/Oregon/rough skinned newt. People have died while consuming them as a dare. They have very few natural predators, some include a population of slowish garter snakes and crayfish.